Volcán Concepción towers 5,280 feet up from Lake Nicaragua, Central America’s largest lake. (The lake is also known as Lake Cocibolca, the cha-cha-line name I prefer: co-ci-bol-ca — hey!).

In Ometepe, Nicaragua's fire-forged pyramids are represented by the Concepción and Maderas volcanoes. Both can be trekked by hardy and determined hikers prepared for the grueling ascent.

Rising above western Lake Nicaragua, dumbbell-shaped Ometepe island comprises twin volcanoes, one extinct (Volcán Madera), and one active (Volcán Concepción, which last erupted in 1957).

Hike Ometepe The island itself is shaped like an hourglass; to the north sits the active Volcan Concepcion and the south is the extinct Volcan Maderas. No matter where you go on the island the ...